Surgical methods and devices with movement assistance
AssigneeEthicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
InventorDavid Stefanchik
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Abstract
Methods and devices are provided for facilitating movement of a surgical tool through a tortuous pathway in the body. The devices and methods disclosed herein can be used in conventional, open surgical procedures, and they are particularly useful in minimally invasive surgical procedures, such as endoscopic procedures. In one aspect, the movement of the device relative to tissue is effected by applying suction to draw tissue to the device thus straightening the passageway. The suction can be removed or reduced and then the device can be further advanced along the passageway.
Claims19
An endoscopic device, comprising:
- an elongate insertion element adapted to be placed within a patient's body;
- a tissue engaging section appended to at least a portion of the insertion element, the tissue engaging section having an outer wall with a plurality of openings formed therein that communicate with a hollow chamber defined by the outer wall, wherein the hollow chamber is configured to communicate with at least one of a vacuum source and an irrigation source;
- and
- a porous fabric extending over at least a portion of the tissue engaging section.
A method of advancing a surgical instrument through a body lumen, comprising:
- providing an elongate surgical instrument having an insertion portion, the insertion portion having appended thereto a tissue engaging section having an outer wall with a plurality of openings formed therein;
- inserting the insertion portion into a hollow body lumen having a tortuous path;
- communicating a vacuum force to the tissue engaging section such that tissue of the body lumen is drawn against the tissue engaging section;
- releasing the vacuum force and moving the insertion portion within the body lumen;
- and
- repeating the steps of communicating the vacuum force, releasing the vacuum force and moving the elongate insertion portion to navigate the elongate insertion portion through the body lumen.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.